The name Pons reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is based on the Latin-Norman personal name Pontius, "hence, doubtless, as a diminutive the name Puncheon, variant of Punshon." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.

Two other sources claim the name was Norman in origin: having derived from the Old Norman French name Ponche or the Old French name Ponce; [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) and/or from the Norman name Poyntz or Ponz, a branch of the Fitz-Ponce family. [3]CITATION[CLOSE]The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)

However, two other very reputable sources are at a loss to the name's origin. "This surname is derived from a nickname. I cannot explain this name." [4]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) "Its etymology has not occurred to me." [5]CITATION[CLOSE]Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.

Pons Early Origins

The surname Pons was first found in various counties throughout Britain. The first record of the family was found in the Pipe Rolls of 1181 where Godfrey, Phillip Punch(e) was listed. Seman Ponche was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Robert Punche in Oxfordshire; and Philip Punche in Suffolk. Later the Rolls of Parliament listed John Punche, yeoman of the crown (no date given.) [4]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)

"The manor [of Linch in Sussex] is described in the Domesday Survey under the name of Lince, and at the time when that record was compiled, there were two ministers here, with a church. In the 16th century, the place was parcel of the estates of the dukes of Norfolk; it afterwards became the property of Viscount Montague, and eventually of the family of Poyntz." [6]CITATION[CLOSE]Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.

Pons Spelling Variations

Pons Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Pons has been recorded under many different variations, including Punch, Poyntz, Pons and others.

Pons Early History

Pons Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pons research. Another 175 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1480, 1533, 1507, 1522, 1527, 1510, 1556, 1528, 1585, 1559, 1571, 1569, 1570, 1607, 1603 and 1661 are included under the topic Early Pons History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pons Early Notables (pre 1700)

Pons Early Notables (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Anthony Poyntz (c.1480-1533), an English diplomat and naval commander, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1507, 1522 and 1527; and his son, Sir Nicholas Poyntz (1510-c.1556), a prominent English courtier during the latter part of Henry VIII's reign; and his son, Sir Nicholas...

Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pons Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Ponss were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

MacAulay, Thomas Babington. History of England from the Accession of James the Second 4 volumes. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1879. Print.

Skordas, Guest. Ed. The Early Settlers of Maryland an Index to Names or Immigrants Complied from Records of Land Patents 1633-1680 in the Hall of Records Annapolis, Maryland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1968. Print.

Shirley, Evelyn Philip. Noble and Gentle Men of England Or Notes Touching The Arms and Descendants of the Ancient Knightley and Gentle Houses of England Arranged in their Respective Counties 3rd Edition. Westminster: John Bowyer Nichols and Sons, 1866. Print.

The Pons Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Pons Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.